Washington blanks Eagles

October 21, 2011

CHARLES TOWN - Natalie Adams knew it was important for her team to get a fast start against Hedgesville.

Though, she was a bit surprised at how quickly her Patriots got on the board.

Just 33 seconds into the game on Thursday, Adams' goal sent Washington on its way to a 4-0 win in the Class AAA, Region II, Section 2 girls soccer tournament.

Article Video

soccer sectional

Up the left side of the field, Adams took a pass from Kayde Gustavel and fired from 20 yards out right past Hedgesville keeper Kaite Allen.

"It was very important," Adams said. "You need to start off strong. It gives your team more encouragement, and the other team gets down, so you have more opportunities."

After controlling possession of the ball for the better part of the half, Washington found paydirt once again as Gustavel found the back of the net in the 23rd minute.

Article Photos

Washington’s Kayde Gustavel (3) finds an opening between Hedgesville defender Christina Jacko, left, and goalkeeper Kaite Allen for a goal to make the score 2-0 during first half of Thursday’s game. (Journal photo by Ron Agnir)

After receiving a pass deep in the Hedgesville end, Gustavel popped the ball right over the goalkeeper and into the net.

"It was bouncing around in the box, and I just flicked it off the outside of my foot," Gustavel said. "I just had to get my footing right and tap it right in there."

Brianna Hester added two second-half goals, one off a beautiful assist from Gustavel, as the Patriots salted away the game. In four years, it's the Patriot ladies' first trip to the championship game.

"We've grown the past couple years," Washington coach Tim Michael said. "Slowly but surely, we've picked it up every year. This year, they've really put it together and take the shots when they see them."

And shoot they did.

Washington peppered Allen throughout the first half, sending 10 total shots on goal her way.

The Eagles didn't record a single shot on goal during the first period.

"They won a lot of balls in the air, and they're quick," Hedgesville coach Keri Hill said of the Patriots. "Their defensive attack set up their offensive attack, and it was hard for our offense to attack quickly."

Gustavel nearly netted another moments after her first, but was called offsides, and Rachael Kauffman had three chances, one right after the other - a shot that sailed into the belly of Allen and two that went wide left and wide right of the goal.

Toward the end of the first half, the Eagles showed a bit of life as Maddy Foster and Nandi Awad controlled the ball deep in the Washington zone.

Neither even attempted a shot, though, as the Patriot defense clamped down.

"I'm extremely proud of all those girls," Hill said of the Eagles. "They gave 100 percent the entire season. I couldn't have asked for a better team."

Kaity Foster finally recorded a shot on goal for the Eagles, as she took a corner kick that curved right into the arms of Washington keeper Kylie Nelson 11 minutes into the second half.

Hester parted the seas for the Patriots' third goal, as Gustavel fired a pass to the Patriot forward, who took the ball and made one move around a defender and shot past Allen.

With just over 10 minutes left, a desperate try by Awad went for naught as her shot tipped off Nelson as Ashley Ferro and Erin Buchanan put their bodies in position to block. As Ferro and Buchanan collided, Awad tried twice more, both smacking off the two, as their bodies fell to the ground before the ball was cleared.

With time winding down, a throw-in by Washington landed at the feet of Hester, who shot past a surprised Tamiesha McBrearty, who had relieved Allen in goal. The shot sailed over her head and right into the back of the net.

"I don't think anyone was in position," Hester said.

Awad had five shots on goal, and Allen made nine total saves for the Eagles.

But in the end, it was the Patriots who earned the right to host in-county rival and defending sectional champion Jefferson at 11 a.m. Saturday.

"I think we're shocking some people because we're so new," Hester said. "It's just nice that we can do this with this group of girls because everyone is so close. We're really like a family."